The Unloved Fake Young Master Is Pregnant with the Real Heir's Child - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Metamorphosis Brother, why did you kiss me

Even for a high-end luxury brand like Patek Philippe, a watch worth one or two million is merely entry-level, yet for Big Brother, it represented his entire life savings.

Lu Yunchuan felt a surge of movememt mixed with guilt. After tracing the contours of the timepiece, he looked at Fu Xici with concern. “While I’m happy you gave me a gift, you used all your savings for this one watch… how are you going to live from now on?”

He knew Fu Xici’s situation better than anyone. The other siblings in the family only had to cry to their parents to receive preferential treatment and millions in pocket money.

But Big Brother? Not only would he never ask for money, he couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge his parents. This was why Lu Yunchuan worried he’d run out of funds.

Fu Xici didn’t answer. He simply drove forward, turned the car around, and headed home.

Though Lu Yunchuan kept voicing his worries, his heart felt immensely lightened on this special day. Big Brother had remembered his birthday and given him such an expensive gift. Having previously lacked a concept of money, he now understood its weight; as an ordinary person outside of a wealthy family, earning a million would be a pipe dream.

Unable to put it down, he slid the watch onto his left wrist and admired it repeatedly, his joy impossible to hide. As he thanked his brother again, Fu Xici caught his expression in the rearview mirror, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

As long as he likes it.

By the time they reached home, the banquet was winding down. Most guests had left, leaving only those close to Fu Kaijiang behind.

Fu Xici parked the car in the villa’s private gardens rather than the garage, leading Lu Yunchuan along a side path back to their rooms to avoid the remaining guests.

No one noticed them. Throughout the day, people had been asking where Lu Yunchuan was and why he hadn’t come out to greet the guests. Meanwhile, Fu Lingchuan had sensibly greeted every relative and friend with a cautious yet sweet demeanor; the family’s blatant favoritism gave him newfound confidence.

However, as long as Lu Yunchuan didn’t leave the Fu family, Fu Lingchuan wouldn’t know peace.

Moreover, Fu Xici hadn’t even shown his face at the coming-of-age ceremony today, which left Fu Lingchuan feeling both hurt and angry. Fu Lingchuan realized that Fu Xici wasn’t as “slow” as he appeared. This man might actually be a greater threat than Lu Yunchuan, an obstacle on his path to becoming the heir.

Since he protects Lu Yunchuan so much, it’s time this Big Brother was kicked out alongside him.

By now, nearly every socialite in the Beijing circle knew he was the true young master, while the fake master had become a laughingstock. This thought brought him great satisfaction.

Seeing that the guests had mostly dispersed, he approached Jiang Wanyue with an expression of profound grievance. “Today, everyone gave me blessings and gifts, except Big Brother. I didn’t see a shadow of him all day. Mom, does Big Brother… not like me?”

Seeing his hurt, sensible look, Jiang Wanyue felt a pang of pity and rushed to comfort him. “Big Brother is just being difficult. That’s why he didn’t attend your ceremony. Don’t take it to heart. You are a sound-minded person, Ling-er; you shouldn’t lower yourself to someone whose mind isn’t… fully there.”

Fu Lingchuan looked at his mother with reddened eyes. “Big Brother isn’t slow at all. He protects Second Brother so much; he just treats me like an outsider.”

Hearing this, Jiang Wanyue grew angry and called out, “Butler Xu, go see what the Eldest Young Master is doing. Why hasn’t he come to see his own biological brother?”

Fu Yunzhou walked in from outside. “Lu Yunchuan is just afraid of being kicked out, so he’s sucking up to Big Brother. But what’s the use? Big Brother has no power or status in this house. Mom and Dad still have the final say.”

As Xu Zhilin went to find Fu Xici, the two had just returned. The moment Lu Yunchuan entered the room, he saw a birthday cake on the glass coffee table.

While everyone else was celebrating Fu Lingchuan, only Fu Xici had prepared a gift and spent his life savings on a luxury item for him.

Lu Yunchuan’s eyes grew hot. As Fu Xici came out of the bathroom after washing his hands, Lu Yunchuan pulled him into a tight embrace. Wrapping his long, strong arms around Fu Xici’s waist, he struggled to find the words to express his gratitude.

Big Brother always smelled faint and pleasant—the scent of laundry detergent that felt incredibly grounding.

“You’re so good to me,” Lu Yunchuan mumbled, refusing to let go. “I don’t know how to repay you. I can only say that no matter what happens, I’ll always be on your side.”

Fu Xici reached out to stroke the boy’s silver hair. “Hap-py… Birth-day.”

It took him several tries to get the words out, but for Lu Yunchuan, it was the best gift he received all day. He pulled back, looked into his brother’s eyes, and smiled. “Thanks, Big Brother! Let’s celebrate together—let’s eat cake!”

Fu Xici’s gaze was tender as he was pulled down onto the sofa. Lu Yunchuan sang “Happy Birthday” to himself and cut the cake without much ceremony.

Just as he handed a slice of fresh fruit cake to his brother, Butler Xu’s voice came from outside. “Eldest Young Master, the Madam wants you to come to the living room.”

Fu Xici’s hand paused, but he ignored it.

Lu Yunchuan leaned over to cut another slice, asking worriedly, “Won’t you get scolded if you don’t go?”

Fu Xici motioned for him to just eat the cake and ignore the others.

When Xu Zhilin persisted and knocked again, Lu Yunchuan shouted toward the door, “Are you annoying? My brother is ignoring you, and you’re still standing there? Believe me, I’ll come out and give you two good punches!”

Xu Zhilin: “…”

Fu Xici sat there composed, savoring a piece of cake. He was doing this on purpose. Not a single person in the Fu family had acknowledged Lu Yunchuan’s coming-of-age today. Not even a mention.

Since that was the case, he wouldn’t bother with the so-called “biological brother.”

His parents couldn’t see the cunning and calculation in that boy’s eyes, but Fu Xici saw it clearly. A man of few words often learns to observe others deeply, and he judged character better than anyone. Fu Lingchuan played the weakling at home, never openly trying to kick Lu Yunchuan out, but instead aiming for “murder by a borrowed knife.”

As long as he appeared miserable enough, his parents would eventually kick Lu Yunchuan out out of guilt. A master calculator, Fu Xici thought. The Fu family will surely end up in the hands of this petty man.

He didn’t care about the family business; he just wanted to keep Lu Yunchuan by his side. At least until he saw him married, settled, and successful…

When Fu Xici didn’t come to his mother, she came to him.

Soon, the door was being pounded on. Jiang Wanyue’s voice sounded particularly furious: “Fu Xici! Lingchuan didn’t provoke you, did he? It’s fine if you didn’t prepare a gift for his birthday, but is even meeting him too much to ask? Since he returned, how many times have you seen him? He always remembers you’re his brother, but you…”

Fu Xici set down his cake and stood up to open the door. Lu Yunchuan immediately stood behind him.

Fu Xici stood in the doorway, his tall frame blocking Lu Yunchuan and casting a shadow of pure pressure. He looked coldly at his mother, his lips pressed thin. He didn’t say a word, but his expression radiated his displeasure.

Jiang Wanyue was actually somewhat afraid of her eldest son’s gaze. Combined with her inherent guilt toward him, her anger flickered out. Her voice lowered involuntarily. “We’re a family; harmony is what matters. Gifts don’t matter, but the atmosphere does. You have no idea what people were saying at the banquet. They say the Fu brothers are at odds and will fight over the inheritance. Your father and I hate hearing that.”

Fu Xici looked at her with an inquiring gaze, as if asking, Are you finished?

Jiang Wanyue finally suppressed her temper. “Come out and see your brother. Your father and I have no intention of driving Yunchuan away, so you don’t need to look at me like that. We know you’re protective of him.”

Instead of complying, Fu Xici stepped back and slammed the door right in his mother’s face.

Jiang Wanyue: “…”

Even Lu Yunchuan was startled. His brother was usually slow in everything he did, but that door slam was remarkably fluid and natural. Lu Yunchuan thought to himself: So Big Brother really doesn’t like that True Second Master. He felt a secret, satisfied thrill.

After locking the door, Big Brother walked back to the sofa to continue his cake. Lu Yunchuan hummed a little tune as he ate beside him. “Brother, that slam was so cool. I think you should have done that a long time ago. I used to think you were a pushover, but now I see you’re just too lazy to lose your temper.”

For Fu Xici, it didn’t matter if his family treated him poorly, as long as they treated Lu Yunchuan well. In the past, when everyone loved Lu Yunchuan, he didn’t mind staying in the shadows. Even though Lu Yunchuan hadn’t liked him then, Fu Xici knew that if Lu Yunchuan ever became the head of the family, he wouldn’t be treated badly.

He had seen it all. Lu Yunchuan was usually obedient and didn’t look for trouble. But whenever Fu Yunzhou was caught crying, it was because Lu Yunchuan had hit him—all because Fu Yunzhou had insulted Big Brother.

Lu Yunchuan had warned Fu Yunzhou: “If I hear you insult Big Brother again, I’ll rot that mouth of yours. Who do you think you are, disrespecting your elder? Even I haven’t done that!”

Though he hadn’t spent much time with his brother back then, Lu Yunchuan truly hated hearing others insult him. His pride made him feel like Fu Xici embarrassed him, yet his heart couldn’t stand seeing the man bullied.

However, as the eldest son of the Fu family, Fu Xici wasn’t someone to be bullied easily. His lack of temper was a choice, not a sign of incompetence. Now, for Lu Yunchuan’s sake, the thorns hidden beneath his skin were beginning to show. He had dared to slam the door on his mother; he had even done it to his father’s study before.

It was a statement: As long as Fu Xici is in this house, no one touches Lu Yunchuan.

Lu Yunchuan felt a massive surge of security. His brother’s display of authority was both majestic and handsome. About time!

Back in the living room, Fu Lingchuan had expected an apology, but his mother returned with a dark expression.

Seeing her face, Fu Lingchuan’s eyes welled up. “I knew it… Big Brother doesn’t like me…”

Jiang Wanyue suppressed her anger. “Don’t bother with him. Your brother has… issues. If he won’t acknowledge you, don’t acknowledge him as a brother either.”

Fu Yunzhou added fuel to the fire. “It’s all Lu Yunchuan stirring things up. My brother might be slow, but he’s still the eldest son, a pure Fu. That ‘thing’ who belongs nowhere is just acting tough because of Big Brother. Mom, Dad, just kick him out.”

Jiang Wanyue took a deep breath. “I haven’t even said anything, and your brother looks like he wants to kill me with his eyes. This is the son I raised? What use is he?”

Fu Yunzhou countered, “We’re useful! Second Brother and I would never treat you like that.”

Jiang Wanyue felt a bit comforted. “There are benefits to having many children. At least you two are sensible. Your brother is a lost cause.”

From that moment on, Fu Xici was written off by his parents. Lu Yunchuan realized that because of him, Big Brother would once again be marginalized. He had never thought about fighting for anything for Fu Xici before—he just wanted to see him live past twenty-eight—but tonight, a new thought took root in his mind.

After finishing the cake, Big Brother tidied the room while Lu Yunchuan did his homework. By 11:00 PM, Fu Xici signaled for him to sleep.

After a shower and blow-drying his hair, Lu Yunchuan slid into his brother’s bed, snuggling into his embrace. He whispered, “Brother, do you want the Fu family industries?”

Fu Xici turned off the light and lay down beside him. “No.”

Lu Yunchuan bumped his forehead against the man’s chest. “Why not? I’ll help you. I think you’re the only reliable one in this family. You deserve it.”

As Lu Yunchuan spoke, his breath still carried the scent of cream. Fu Xici found it pleasant and leaned in closer to catch the scent. Lu Yunchuan didn’t think much of the proximity and continued, “Your biological brother doesn’t want you to do well. If he takes over, you’ll definitely suffer. We can’t just sit and wait.”

Previously, Lu Yunchuan only thought about how to use the Fu family to gain a foothold for his own career. But now, he realized his “slow” brother needed a stable foundation. Power was the only bargaining chip in this house. He wanted to fight for Fu Xici.

Fu Xici didn’t reply, listening to the boy’s incessant chatter. Perhaps bewitched by the sweet scent of cream and the warmth of the moment, he leaned in and ghosted a kiss against the corner of Lu Yunchuan’s lips.

The brief contact sent a jolt through his veins.

His feelings for Lu Yunchuan had, indeed, undergone a metamorphosis.

Lu Yunchuan’s voice stopped abruptly. In the darkness, he blinked in disbelief, wondering if he had hallucinated.

“Brother. why did you kiss me?